3 to 4 Year Olds

When assessing a child between the ages of 3-4years I look for the following developmental milestones:

(scaled down for parent understanding and give a general overview). A good reference screening tool I use is Developmental Assessment of Infants and Children, 2^nd Edition.

During Meal time

1. Is the child using a spoon and fork successfully without a lot of spilling?
2. Is the child eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats or other protein sources?
3. Is the child able to drink from an open cup successfully without spilling?
4. Is the child able to go get a drink from the tap? Pour milk into a cup?
5. Is the child engaged during eating showing a variety of facial expressions when presented with different textures of food?
6. Is the child able to sit for an entire meal?
7. Is the child able to communicate their wants and needs for eating and drinking?

During playtime

1. Is the child interacting with others repeating rhymes, dancing, participates in group play?
2. Is the child able to get peer attention appropriately?
3. Does the child volunteer to help with tasks?
4. Can the child count to 5, count objects to 5? match objects by size/shape/color?
5. Is the child able complete simple interlocking puzzles?
6. Can the child put objects in order by size, sort by color and shape?
7. Understand concept heavy/light, same/different, more/less?
8. Can the child have a conversation that is understood by an adult/peers? Can they describe situations? Answer questions involving “who, what, where, what would happen if …” follow multiple step directions?
9. Is the child able to hold a crayon with their fingers and draw straight lines? Circles/ squares/cross? Snip with child scissors?
10. Is the child walking up and down the stairs? Climbing playground equipment?

Self Care:

1. Is the child potty trained, including sleeping through the night without wetting?
2. Is the child dressing and undressing independently?
3. Is the child starting to button or unbutton large buttons?
4. Washing face and hands, brushing their teeth?

Meal Time:

1. Provide three meals a day with two healthy snacks. Snacks should be healthy treats to boost intake not treats.
2. Try to keep a scheduled time for eating, eat meals seated and avoid snacking all day.
3. Continue to provide the fruits and vegetables that were given in previous months.
4. Encourage use of open cup, straw cup, utensils and cleaning up.
5. Encourage independent teeth brushing after meals

Sleeping:

1. Child takes one afternoon nap and can quiet down for nap after active play.
2. Providing the naps in quiet place to reduce stimulation
3. Continue a night time routine to assist the child to know when it is time to sleep for the night. Examples; bath, brush teeth, read a story, start music then lights out.
4. Try to avoid feeding or drinking to close to bed time to limit to possibility of reflux
5. Make sure room is dark and quiet I highly RECOMMEND Subliminal positive affirmations music to promote self confidence and security before bedtime and 30 minutes chakra cleansing music before nap.
6. YouTube: 30 minute to unblock all 7 chakras offered by 5 min to zen. I like this one cause if the time limit before nap.
7. YouTube: Subliminal I am affirmations for self esteem by 30 Minute mind set.
8. Once your child stops napping, alternate nightly the above music at bedtime

Playtime: See shopping list for complete list of age appropriate toys

1. Provide lots of experiences outside to explore the environment.
2. Outside play and playground is KEY at this age for language development
3. Provide educational toys that encourage learning.
4. Provide experiences that encourage imagination including; dress up clothes, kitchens, puppets, fairy tales, taking care of babies, farm animals ect.
5. Provide language experiences by singing, dancing, answering questions, describing objects, following directions through play,
6. Provide social experiences to assist the child to learn about interacting with others. It is important to note that we want to make sure a child is maintaining eye contact, engaged with others, interested in others and likes to see other people’s responses. This is done through turn taking, playgrounds, music, meal times and play with family and friends.

Things to keep an eye on:

1. Social interaction: this is important to make sure the child is not withdrawn or has difficulty with peer interaction. I highly recommend positive affirmations before bed to assist the child with a positive mindset to build confidence to interact with peers.